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Golden Bunch

Crocus ancyrensis

Golden Bunch

Cup-like flowers provide a drink of nectar to early insects

Golden Bunch

Cup-like flowers provide a drink of nectar to early insects

Cup-like flowers provide a drink of nectar to early insects

Crocus ancyrensis is a beautiful perennial flowering bulb. Beginning to flower in late winter, with blooms appearing through to early spring, C. ancyrensis produces bright golden flowers and is often called 'Golden Bunch' for this reason. C. ancyrensis should be grown in a position that receives full sun. The soil should be well-drained, poor quality and gritty to ensure that bulbs don't rot in wet winters. Golden Bunch is ideal for use in flowerbeds, but can sometimes be overwhelmed by other plants. For this reason, growing in pots can be very effective.

Crocuses are a large genus of deciduous and perennial flowering bulbs that are low growing and ideal for short-term seasonal interest. Flowers come in a variety of colours, from deep orange and purple, to pale white. Crocuses don't generally grow very tall, making them ideal plants for containers and underplanting. Crocuses are best planted in full sun where the soil is well-drained, poor and gritty. This ensures that bulbs don't rot during wet winters. Crocus bulbs can flower in the spring, autumn or winter depending on their variety, making them a versatile addition to the garden.

Simple but striking, crocus angustifolius is a deciduous perennial flowering plant that is considered a prized addition to any garden. Its foliage comprises mid-green, slender strap-shaped leaves with silver stripes that grow in small clumps as early as late winter. Its cherry-scented flower emerges in summer, and is a bright golden-yellow colour – thus, its common name, the cloth-of-gold crocus. The flower’s most distinguishing marks are mahogany stripes on the outside of its four outer tepals. The cloth-of-gold crocus can thrive in poor but well-drained soil. Ideal for gravel beds and rockeries, it is hardy enough to survive cold but dry winters. No pruning is necessary.

A small deciduous perennial garden plant, crocus banaticus offers all of the simple beauty that the crocus is famed for. Growing on a short pale green stem, its lilac flower looks large against the mid-green, strap-shaped leaves that follow it. Blooming in autumn, the flower has three large outer tepals and three smaller inner tepals, which open wide in full sun, revealing a golden-yellow throat. Known as the Byzantine crocus, it grows best in gritty and poorly fertile soil, but the location needs to be well-drained, as the plant dislikes wet. It is best suited to gravel beds and rockeries, but can be grown in containers indoors. No pruning is necessary.

Crocus biflorus is a lovely perennial flowering bulb. In the spring, this little bulb produces pale blue flowers that have a soft white centre. Blooms are goblet shaped and bring welcome colour to post-winter gardens. Often called 'Blue Pearl', C. biflorus should be grown in a sunny area that has well-drained, gritty and poor quality soil. This avoids bulbs rotting during wet weather and ensures that bulbs survive the winter season. Blue Pearl is ideal for border planting, and can also be used to great effect in containers and rock gardens.

Crocus cartwrightianus is a perennial flowering bulb. Often known as Wild saffron, C. cartwrightianus produces flowers in autumn and early winter, producing lilac coloured flowers that have deep purple veining for added appeal. Long red stigmas make flowers even more attractive. Wild saffron should be planted in a container and placed in a sunny spot. It prefers an equal mix of sand or grit and leaf mould if it is to grow well. Throughout the summer months it should be kept dry, before watering at the onset of autumn to encourage leaves and flowers to appear.

Crocus chrysanthus is a beautiful flowering perennial, also known as the Golden crocus. An early flowering crocus that will bring a little sunshine to your early spring garden with its' beautiful golden goblet shaped flowers. It's a small plant that grows close to the ground so plant it at the front of your borders or in a lawn. When it grows up through the snow it really looks stunning. Plant plenty of bulbs in groups for the most impact. The leaves are dark green and narrow and have a silver stripe running down their centre.

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